Why doesn the CRA provide free software for NETFILE?
The CRA provides forms and guides — both paper and electronic — to assist in the income tax filing process. NETFILE is only one option to file tax returns electronically. The other options are EFILE, through third-party service providers, and TELEFILE, for those eligible. TELEFILE is also a free service. NETFILE is intended for the millions of individuals who use commercial software to manage their financial affairs and prepare their tax returns. These individuals can transmit their own tax returns using the CRA’s free Internet transmission service, NETFILE. In the past, they had to print and mail their tax returns. Development, distribution, and the subsequent ongoing maintenance of free tax software would represent a tremendous expenditure for the CRA. It would also require a continuous support network to assist users of the product. Even if we were to provide free software, some Canadians will always prefer to purchase products from the private sector market because many of these
